The historic settlement of Ramdevra in Jaisalmer, Western Rajasthan, has transformed into a vibrant hub of devotion as the 642nd Ramdevra Fair officially commenced. Celebrating the birth anniversary of Baba Ramdevji on the auspicious occasion of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha Dwitiya, millions of pilgrims have descended upon the holy site. The commencement of this massive inter-provincial festival was marked by highly anticipated early morning rituals, including the Mangla Aarti and the installation of a magnificent golden crown on the deity, filling the air with continuous chants and prayers.
Local administration and police leadership set the tone for the event by participating in the initial ceremonies. Jaisalmer District Collector Anupama Jorwal, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Shivhare, and Zila Parishad Chief Executive Officer Yasharth Shekhar joined other public representatives to perform special worship services. They conducted a sacred bath ritual, or Abhishek, at the Samadhi of Baba Ramdev, praying for the peace and prosperity of the region as the fortnight-long event got underway.
Devotees Travel From Across India To Offer Prayers
The religious gathering, which is scheduled to run from September 13 to September 26, acts as a cultural bridge drawing visitors from various parts of the country. Pilgrims from diverse states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu travel immense distances to pay their respects. Upon arrival, devotees offer traditional velvet sheets and perform ritualistic prayers at the Samadhi, which is decorated beautifully after a ceremonial bath with Panchamrit, a holy mixture of five ingredients.
Continuous Access And Priest Deployments
To manage the immense crowds and ensure every devotee gets a chance to pray, the temple administration has introduced round-the-clock operations. The doors of the temple will remain open 24 hours a day during the festival period. Furthermore, a team of 150 priests has been deployed to facilitate the smooth running of rituals. These priests are working in three rotating shifts to manage the constant flow of pilgrims, which has already seen more than 30 lakh people completing their darshan since the run-up to the event.
Comprehensive Security Measures For Pilgrim Safety
Ensuring the safety and security of millions of visitors remains a top priority for the local administration. A robust security network consisting of 620 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras has been established across the fairgrounds and temple complex. Of these, the temple committee has installed 220 cameras, while the Jaisalmer administration has set up an additional 400 cameras to monitor crowd movement. On the ground, 1800 police personnel and 350 home guards have been deployed to maintain order, handle traffic, and ensure a peaceful experience for the visiting public.
